Zhang Xue’s gaze was captivated. “What can we do? It’s just too adorable.”
“When you marry Li Weimin, you can have one yourself,” Chen Lishu said jokingly.
However, Zhang Xue’s smile faltered. She mumbled softly, “It’s not even certain if I can have one.”
Hearing her words, Chen Lishu frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Zhang Xue sighed. “When I went home this time, I told my parents about dating. They were happy at first, but when they heard he was a soldier, they immediately told me to break up.”
Chen Lishu asked, “Why?”
“They said a lot of things, like I’m a university student and he only finished middle school, so we’ll definitely have no common ground later. I don’t get it, we’re not writing academic reports or attending seminars, so how can we not have common ground?”
“Then they said Li Weimin’s family is from the countryside and there will probably be a lot of messy relatives later. No, how do they know there will be messy relatives? Fortunately, school has started, otherwise, they’d nag me so much my ears would fall off.”
“I don’t care. I’m the one who will be living with him, so I should find someone I like. Besides, they haven’t even met Li Weimin, how can they know he’s not good enough?”
Parents consider their children’s futures more than the children themselves. If they could, they would want to clear away all obstacles and even pave a smooth road for them from birth, ensuring a life of ease and security.
Chen Lishu could see that despite her words, Zhang Xue was not feeling good. After all, they were her parents, and she naturally hoped for their blessing in her marriage.
So she comforted her, “Older people need to be reasoned with. Don’t be too stubborn, it can chill their hearts. You still have half a year. When you graduate, bring him home for them to see. Once they interact with him, and Li Weimin is a good person, perhaps they’ll change their minds.”
Zhang Xue said resignedly, “I hope it turns out like you said.”
“Oh, I still have over a week before I’m out of my confinement month. Don’t forget to ask for leave for me from the teacher.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll not only ask for leave but also take notes for you.”
“I almost forgot.” As Zhang Xue spoke, she took out two exquisitely crafted silver lockets from her shoulder bag. They were engraved with ‘long life and prosperity’ and adorned with a few small, cute bells.
“For my goddaughter and godson.”
Chen Lishu smiled and accepted them. “You’ve spent a lot, godmother.”
Zhang Xue chuckled, “This is nothing. After all, I’m someone with a little treasury.”
Chen Lishu kept Zhang Xue for lunch. She left only after the two little ones woke up and Zhang Xue had doted on them for a while, finally satisfying her craving.
…
Yu Guofeng looked at the man before him and said with a smile, “Sit.”
Gu Xingdong was not polite and sat in the direction he indicated. He smiled and asked, “May I know why you’ve suddenly called me here?”
“I won’t beat around the bush. There’s a government project now. Are you interested?”
Gu Xingdong’s eyebrows twitched slightly. He didn’t rush to reply, waiting for him to continue.
“You should know about Jiangpan Garden, right? Longteng Company is having some issues there now.”
Gu Xingdong knew a little about Jiangpan Garden. He had investigated the project thoroughly when he was looking into Jiang Chengyi.
Thus, with a turn of his mind, he roughly guessed Yu Guofeng’s intention. “You want our company to take over?”
Yu Guofeng nodded. “Your company has handled several projects of varying sizes, and you’re quite experienced in this area. That’s why I’ve asked you here to get your opinion. You don’t need to reply immediately. Here’s a preliminary cooperation plan. You can take it back and look at it first.”
As Yu Guofeng spoke, he handed a document on his desk.
Gu Xingdong quickly stood up to receive it.
“I’ve done a preliminary understanding of your situation and clarified the circumstances. If you’re willing, the government can act as a guarantor for the funds with the bank.”
Although banks had not yet opened their services to non-state-owned enterprises, if one wanted to obtain a loan, they could present the project they were undertaking, and the government could act as a guarantor, allowing the bank to disburse the funds.
However, in most cases, the government would not easily provide such a guarantee.
“Thank you for your concern, leader. I will certainly consider it carefully.” After greeting Yu Guofeng, Gu Xingdong left with the document.
Chen Lishu had just put the children to sleep. When she came out, she saw him going upstairs and curiously asked, “What’s in your hand?”
Gu Xingdong waved the document in his hand and opened the study door. “Mayor Yu asked me over today. He intends for our company to take over the Jiangpan Garden project. This is the proposed plan.”
Chen Lishu was startled when she heard his words. “Jiangpan Garden?”
She then took the document from his hand and flipped through it.
Jiangpan Garden was a sizable project. The government had initially approved nearly ten mu of land, with plans to build over ten multi-story buildings. Currently, Longteng Company had only completed about a third of the work. If they undertook the entire project, it would be a considerable sum.
“Such a large project, our company probably can’t handle it, right?”
Even if she invested all her money, it probably wouldn’t be enough to cover even a fraction of it.
“Don’t worry about the funds. Mayor Yu said the government would act as a guarantor for the bank loans to the company.”
Even with the government’s backing, very few companies would dare to undertake such a project with such boldness.
Chen Lishu’s eyes immediately lit up. “Really? That would be great.”
Gu Xingdong raised his eyebrows. “You agree to take on this project?”
Chen Lishu nodded. “The short-term returns are indeed not high. The little money earned is nothing to those state-owned companies, but in the long run, the benefits are considerable.”
Gu Xingdong looked at her bright eyes and couldn’t help but smile. “What are Comrade Chen’s brilliant ideas?”
Chen Lishu lifted her chin slightly, her expression like a little fox wagging its tail. “No brilliant ideas, just a few decades more foresight than others.”
Now, the Jiangpan Garden project was initiated by the city government approaching their company. Putting aside profitability, at the very least, if they accepted, they would be helping the government solve a major problem. Who would dare say that the city wouldn’t prioritize them for any other future projects?
And regarding the banks, if a partnership was established, future loan applications would surely be more convenient than for others.
If they successfully completed such a large project, their construction company would finally have a firm foothold in the city.
Gu Xingdong nodded after hearing her analysis. “Since you’ve said so, I’ll reply to Mayor Yu tomorrow.”
“Go in a couple of days.”
Gu Xingdong asked, “Why?”
Chen Lishu smiled meaningfully, “We need to appear to be deliberating for a couple of days.”